Decorating Details: Beautiful Blue-and-White Accents

Slide 1 Of Decorating Details: Beautiful Blue-and-White Accents

John Bessler

The classic combination of blue and white always provides an element of refined sophistication—even in details.

A round mahogany table and area rug establish the dining area in this updated kitchen, which boasts warm woods and a large navy blue range. Touching off of the range’s deep hue, the dining chairs are upholstered in a graphic fabric from Brunschwig & Fils. The chairs’ fretwork backs reflect the fabric’s woven pattern and lend textural interest to the dining area.

Wooden chairs upholstered in an arresting blue-and-white floral fabric from Marvic Textiles stand out against stark white walls and silvery furnishings. The pattern’s royal blues work to ground the living room’s airy palette.

Sparkly blues and whites are a classic holiday color pairing, especially when given an icy sheen. In this holiday home, small clusters of blue and white pinecone ornaments decorate the dining room’s birch-log side chairs.

Country French details abound in this girl’s bedroom, which is accented with blue-and-white fabrics. Toile shades and a matching bedskirt are a classic touch; gingham fabric on the armchair and ottoman are trimmed in ribbons of ivory for a polished look. The area rug from Stark ties the room’s blue-and-white fabrics together.

A traditional kitchen combines eco-friendly materials with Old World style. The wood-fired oven is built into a wall of handmade blue-and-white tiles, their structured pattern making the wall a focal point of the kitchen.

The homeowner’s collection of antique Chinese porcelain influenced the color palette of the entire home, designed by Joseph Minton. The living room’s warm golds and creamy neutrals create a lovely counterbalance to the number of blue and white pieces displayed throughout.

The colors in the entry are more subdued but hint at the home’s palette beyond. A pair of porcelain urns are displayed on custom-glazed pedestals, while the rich blues are reflected in the pillows’ fabrics from Clarence House as well as the stair runner.

The pool terrace at the Hampton Designer Showhouse buzzes with vibrant tangerine outdoor fabrics, their tropical hues offset by brilliant blues and crisp whites. Orange is a natural counterpoint to blue.

Inspired by a collection of antique transferware, the blue-and-white range backsplash is made of Delft tiles and coordinating accent and border tiles. Antique Chinese Cantonware pieces displayed above feature a concentrated blue to tie the palette together.

A serene master bedroom dressed in whites and contrasting olive-greens is given a color boost with bedside lamps from Barclay Butera. The blues of the lamps are picked up in the richly patterned antique rug underfoot.

A holiday tabletop is festooned with garlands of fresh pine and nautical blue and white dishes. A cobalt-blue gnome stands as the table’s centerpiece and complements the Spode marine plates and Provençal linen napkins.

In the heart of Palm Beach, the Red Cross Designer Showhouse stuns with rooms created by the best designers from around the country. The waterfront covered loggia, designed by Michael Powers, is reminiscent of Greek’s white buildings and blue rooftops. Chairs feature a blue lacquered finish and are upholstered in a preppy Ralph Lauren striped print. Sheer draperies soften the rich blues and keep the light flowing.

An heirloom rocking chair is covered an ivory fabric. Family names are hand-painted in a dusty blue, the script mimicking traditional embroidery. The soothing combination of ivory and baby blue lend comfortable and classic appeal to the piece, which is sure to be passed down through generations to come.

Stainless steel, nickel fixtures, and an eye-catching mosaic backsplash paint this kitchen in luminous silvers and grays. A trio of blue-and-white jugs provide a pop of color in the otherwise neutral space, designed by Bob Bakes. “I’m a big fan of accents and pleasant distractions in a room–whether through the subtle injection of color or shape or the drama of something like a custom-designed backsplash,” Bakes says. “Design should be fun and energetic.”